LEADING AFL assistants Adam Simpson and Scott Burns are prepared to enter Melbournes succession plan under Paul Roos despite ­believing they are ready to become senior coaches.

Hawthorn’s Simpson and West Coast’s Burns are seen as the leading candidates for the Demons position, with the Eagles, Essendon and Brisbane Lions also ­considering their vacant ­senior coaching options.

Former Adelaide coach Neil Craig is a legitimate ­contender to lead Brisbane in its their own succession plan, identical to Melbourne’s recently announced Roos-led revival.

Manager Craig Kelly, of ESP, said Simpson and Burns were battle-hardened and ready to ­become senior coaches.

But the huge potential for something special under Roos also appeals to both, and Melbourne having spoken to them.

Adam SimpsonSource:News Limited

Another ESP client, Mark Harvey, is also leaving all ­options open, including the ­Essendon role.

But while he could yet be Essendon’s saviour, he is more open to being a career senior assistant coach.

His family is still in Perth, so he could yet be a ­contender to be a senior ­assistant under West Coast’s new head coach.

Kelly said Collingwood great Burns, seen to have been overlooked for several senior roles, was a senior coach in the making.

"Scott Burns is absolutely hardened and ready to take on any job, be it at the West Coast Eagles or Melbourne. He is more than capable and more than prepared,’’ Kelly said.

Paul RoosSource:Getty Images

"No one should ­underestimate how clear and focused he has been in the last 10 years to be a senior coach, and you only need to talk to West Coast players or (Worsfold) to understand he is ready to go.’’ he said.

"He and Adam Simpson are absolutely ready to go, but they are also guys who are patient. If they don’t get an opportunity they are there for the long haul. For them the opportunity to work under Paul Roos or Neil Craig would be a great experience.’’

Essendon will announce the process for its 2014 coaching appointment as early as today, with Simon Goodwin and Harvey leading contenders.

Kelly said Harvey was open to all options for next year.

"Mark Harvey wants to be a career coach involved in football clubs, he is open for business, he is looking at his options. We would anticipate he would talk to Essendon once we understand what they are looking for. He has made it clear his family is in Perth so he would happily go back there and support someone at West Coast.’’

News.com.au's Privacy Policy includes important information about our collection, use and disclosure of your personal information (including to provide you with targeted content and advertising based on your online activities). It explains that if you do not provide us with information we have requested from you, we may not be able to provide you with the goods and services you require. It also explains how you can access or seek correction of your personal information, how you can complain about a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles and how we will deal with a complaint of that nature.